Posted: 2009.10.19(Mon)18:14 Post subject: Buying in the US and shipping home

In a month I am going to Las Vegas. (It's my first time to Vegas and my first time outside Canada since the mid 90s.) The Canadian dollar is pretty good at the moment and hopefully will still be strong next month.

For a while now I have wanted to buy an Eheim 2217 for my 55g tank. Here at home they are $200 new and pretty rare to find used (not sure I want to risk buying used anyway).

I have wondered if it could be worth it to buy the filter in Vegas and ship it home via FedEx or UPS. I know that certain kinds of items are often waaaaay cheaper in the US (even after dollar conversion) but I don't know if Eheims fall into that category. Also, I really have no idea about things like border duty and whatnot. What do these filters retail for in the states? After shipping fees and duty would it be about the same as buying it at home?

These sell for about 150 us dollars. I don't know if many shops will ship out of the country, but if so, they may have discounts on expensive orders. It would probably be easier to just pick it up and take it home, if border control will let you... _________________29 G

I don't see an issue with shipping it to yourself. It doesn't have anything the post office or fedex doesn't allow. That may be easiest. And I have seen it for along $150 USD_________________I think I need a bigger tank......
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I would also recommend bringing the filter with you on person across the border. Less hassles with shipping, etc.

I would strongly recommend against using FedEx and UPS. In addition to having customs holding the package (likely), they will also charge you GST and PST, and then also slap on a 5 CAD Canada Post handling fee. On top of all this, UPS/FedEx will also charge you a brokerage fee (~30 USD).

If you are intent on mailing it, I would use normal USPS instead of Courier services. That way, you will only be hit with the GST, PST and handling fee (unless you use some less "legitimate" methods, of which I am neither suggesting nor discouraging...)_________________Anthony

I agree, the USPS would be a cheaper alternative to Fedex or UPS. I've shipped overseas with the USPS and it's very simple and cheap ._________________If everyone's thinking alike then no one is thinking.